Degradation and Failure

Which of the following would most likely influence material selection during the design phase of a new product?

• Cultural trends

• Degradation resistance under expected conditions

• Product launch timeline

• Advertising budget

Answer explanation

Degradation resistance under expected conditions is crucial for material selection, ensuring the product performs reliably over time. Other factors like cultural trends or budgets are less directly related to material properties.

In developing a biodegradable packaging product, understanding which mechanism is MOST important to inform material selection and lifecycle analysis?

• Thermal expansion

• Ultraviolet hardening

• Microbial biodegradation

• Galvanic coupling

Answer explanation

Microbial biodegradation is crucial for biodegradable packaging as it determines how materials break down in the environment. Understanding this mechanism informs material selection and lifecycle analysis, ensuring effective and eco-friendly solutions.

In the context of a Product Development course, how does the early integration of degradation and failure analysis enhance the design process, particularly in applications demanding long-term structural resilience?

• It enables creative outsourcing of surface styling components during initial design exercises.

• It allows compliance evaluations to be postponed until commercialization phases are complete.

• It ensures material and process decisions account for stress conditions, as seen in marine wind energy.

• It encourages redirecting early-stage resources toward prototype branding and packaging activities.

Answer explanation

The correct choice emphasizes that early degradation and failure analysis ensures that material and process decisions are made with stress conditions in mind, crucial for applications like marine wind energy that require long-term structural resilience.

During market research, users reported that a plastic product became chalky after outdoor use. This problem is most likely due to:

• Insufficient mold precision

• Photodegradation from UV exposure

• Overuse of adhesive

• Incorrect market segmentation

Answer explanation

The chalky appearance of the plastic product after outdoor use is most likely due to photodegradation from UV exposure, which breaks down the material's surface, leading to a loss of color and texture.

What form of materials protection could be integrated into product development to reduce failure risk?

• Outsourcing production

• Digital prototyping

• Anodizing or coating methods

• Adding a brand logo

Answer explanation

Anodizing or coating methods enhance material durability and resistance to corrosion, significantly reducing the risk of product failure. This protective measure is crucial in product development for ensuring longevity and reliability.

In terms of commercialization, promoting a product's resistance to degradation contributes to:

• Reduced user feedback

• Increased product shelf-life appeal

• Lower revenue margins

• Poor material compliance

Answer explanation

Promoting a product's resistance to degradation enhances its shelf-life appeal, making it more attractive to consumers who prefer long-lasting products, thus increasing marketability.

A team is designing a chemical vessel for industrial use. What design choice would BEST help prevent corrosive accumulation?

• Use sharp corners to direct fluid flow

• Introduce dead zones to stabilize pressure

• Employ smooth interior curves for mixing

• Reduce vessel height for accessibility

Answer explanation

Employing smooth interior curves minimizes turbulence and prevents dead zones where corrosive substances can accumulate, ensuring better mixing and reducing the risk of corrosion in the vessel.

A biodegradable product failed prematurely due to unexpected microbial activity. Which factor best explains this outcome?

• The polymer's aesthetic qualities were prioritized in testing

• The degradation timeline was misaligned with environmental exposure data

• The user interface did not emphasize disposal instructions

• The concept prototype lacked stakeholder feedback mechanisms

Answer explanation

The premature failure of the biodegradable product was due to a misalignment between the degradation timeline and actual environmental conditions, leading to unexpected microbial activity.

In which product development phase should designers consider insulation to prevent localized cooling and corrosion?

• Commercialization

• Concept testing

• Design and prototyping

• Financial feasibility

Answer explanation

Designers should consider insulation during the design and prototyping phase to address issues like localized cooling and corrosion, ensuring the product's functionality and durability before commercialization.

What's a key reason to avoid turbulent flow design in high-velocity fluid systems?

• It prevents uniform heat distribution

• It eliminates need for regular maintenance

• It causes erosion-corrosion in materials

• It improves chemical reactivity

Answer explanation

Turbulent flow can lead to increased erosion-corrosion in materials due to the chaotic movement of fluid, which can wear down surfaces and compromise system integrity, making it a key reason to avoid such designs.